Re: [Paddlewise] alternate rolls

From: "Wayne" <wrf_at_hypatia.unh.edu>


>   Mike you wrote about Jack Elliot's Alternative Rolling technique- it sounded
> interesting.  Could you give a little more details on the paddle placement and 
> how/where the paddle shaft was grabbed to effect the roll.  If it is as good as you said 
> we should all have this one in our repetoire.  Anyway it sounded neat.

First point - it only works with unfeathered paddles.  In a feathered paddle, one 
blade won't fit under the coaming or alternatively, won't lie on the water surface.

Imagine yourself doing an Inverted Aqueous Maneouver.

Place the paddle on the surface of the water at right angles to the direction of the 
kayak (i.e. straight out to the side).  Take the blade close to you and set the tip
into the space between the deck and the coaming.  This space is at least an inch 
deep, so the paddle won't get stuck.  This allows the paddle to rotate without 
requiring you to anchor it in any special way; both your hands are used to rotate 
the paddle.

Now take your hand closest to the paddle and grab the shaft a comfortable distance
from the kayak.  Pull it towards you.  The force on the floating blade way out there 
will cause you to rotate toward the surface.  As the paddle shaft gets closer, take 
your other hand and reach across your body to take the shaft (outboard of the first
hand) and pull, assisting the first hand.  With both hands pulling, you will come 
all the way around. 

When you are finished, the blade that was closest to the kayak will now be on the skirt 
and the outboard blade will be out in a good position for bracing.  You'll be sitting up, not
in a layback position.  Head flicking is not an issue (DH take note!).  Sponsons not
required.  No animals died in its execution.  (Sorry, I got carried away!)

It is surprisingly simple.  Two people tried it and neither failed to come up.  Jen did go
right over, but that's another issue.

Mike


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